The heat from public expectation - and the Saudi desert - is most definitely being felt by Anthony Joshua as he prepares for his revenge mission against Oleksandr Usyk, but he still took time out to send a special message to his former sparring partner and new Commonwealth champion Delicious Orie.
The pair shared countless rounds in Sheffield where both trained – DJ, as he is known, the emerging talent on the GB set-up, while Joshua continued to train on familiar ground with Rob McCracken, the man who helped guide him to both Olympic gold and professional world titles.
The two big men bonded with DJ in awe of a man whose success he is desperate to emulate, and even surpass. But the boxing boot was on the other foot when DJ clinched gold in Birmingham, coming from behind in the final to defeat India’s Sagat Ahlawat. Of all the messages, back slapping and praise he received, one stood out.
READ MORE:
- Why Oleksandr Usyk Deserves Your Attention Ahead Of The Anthony Joshua Rematch
-
History-Maker Ramla Ali Breaks New Ground In Saudi Arabia's First Women's Fight
- Betfred's latest Usyk vs Joshua Fight Odds*
“I got a message from Anthony Joshua – a nice video – congratulating me and saying that I’M also an inspiration to HIM!” DJ says, eyes wide with a huge smile. “It meant a lot – that was quite big! That meant a lot to me.”
Orie was originally aiming for success in basketball before switching sports to boxing when at Aston University – but that does not begin to tell the tale of the 25-year-old who was born in Moscow to a Russian mother and Nigerian father. With racism an increasing threat, the family relocated to Wolverhampton when DJ was seven. British citizenship issues still had to be overcome – he only received his passport last year - but with support from family and friends, the super-heavyweight stayed focussed and is now reaping the rewards.
“When I was sharing a ring with him [Joshua] and sparring and stuff on camp, he was aware of my situation, and he knew how hard it was for me. He understands, he gets it. Just having him as a role model and mentor – it’s great.
“When we were sparring though, all the friendship was out the window!”
It is less than a fortnight since DJ claimed gold in front of a deafening crowd at the NEC Arena – a venue just 20mins drive from his home – and the significance of that night is not lost on the Economics graduate.
“I did feel like I was embraced. I felt like I did the nation proud, and it was a big thank you to the nation for providing the opportunity and giving me the ability to enable me to achieve my dreams.
“When my hand was raised for the final time, I got emotional for all the hard work, applying for citizenship, making sure I’m getting my training right at the same time, staying mentally switched on, positive and focussed. It was many years of manifestation and dreaming of that moment. When that moment became reality, a whole heap of emotions hit me at the same time. It’s a feeling I will never forget.
“With all the attention I’m getting, it’s great because I’m able to get my message across of England being such an amazing place of getting whatever it is you want to get and the opportunities available to you. I’m loving life. A lot of people have this negative stigma of society and England, but for me, the opportunities are there, and people are there to support you.”
It is a remarkable story that promises to get even better for a young man as impressive and articulate outside of the ring as he is in it. Along with his boxing commitments, DJ gives up his time for community projects as an ambassador for the boxing charity Maverick Stars Trust.
It is a work ethic that has been instilled in him from childhood, and success is also a reward for his parents Justin and Natalie, who were cheering on their son from the stands on his breakthrough night.
“They’re the reason I’m here,” says DJ. “They’ve given me this mindset, this unbreakable mindset of being a high achiever. I couldn’t have done it without them. I had to make people aware of that, it’s not just me who’s doing it, it’s my parents who’re the real roots of who I am.”
In a few weeks, after he has enjoyed a family cruise around the Mediterranean, DJ will return to training at GB Boxing in Sheffield to focus on the next challenge. It promises to be a busy two years in the build up to the Paris Olympics in 2024. Qualification tournaments for the Games begin early next year with the obvious goal of matching AJ’s gold.
Before all of that, he will be on the sofa on Saturday night watching his friend attempt to wrestle the IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles back off the brilliant Ukrainian Usyk when the pair clash in Jeddah.
“I’m confident and I really hope he does it. Anthony Joshua has the tools to beat Usyk. He’s a natural heavyweight, the longer arms, the bigger guy. He needs to turn up the aggression. I know Usyk’s got a little bit bigger for this fight, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens, but if the right AJ turns up against Usyk, he can beat him.
“This is a guy who got an Olympic gold medal in the space of, what, three years of boxing? From scratch? I don’t know why, but there’s this thing where some people just underestimate what AJ’s achieved in a short space of time. You have to remember that Usyk’s a top-class operator, he really is a top-level world-class operator so… we’ll see what happens on the night.
“But we need those belts in the UK because there’s no fans quite like the English and UK fans and we need the hype back here in the UK. Imagine all the fights we could have if AJ brings back those belts? It would be out of this world.”
So, if Joshua can pull off his revenge mission, will DJ return the compliment and send his old pal a congratulations video?
“Yeah, that he’s MY inspiration! But I’m sure he already knows that!”
*18+ | BeGambleAware
